OpenAI brings back model selection in ChatGPT — including some older versions

OpenAI has restored the ability to choose between different AI models in ChatGPT, including several versions previously marked as deprecated.

The move comes just days after the launch of GPT-5, which was intended to fully replace earlier generations and automatically select the optimal operating mode.

ChatGPT now offers three GPT-5 modes: Auto, Fast, and Thinking. Plus subscribers can once again manually choose older models — GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and o3. GPT-4o appears in the menu by default, while the others must be enabled in account settings.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged on X that the automatic mode selection wasn’t universally popular, and promised to make GPT-5’s tone "warmer than the current personality but not as annoying (to most users) as GPT-4o". He said the company aims to move toward more personalized settings for each user.

The removal of older models had triggered strong pushback, with many users saying they preferred the previous style of responses. The new router also proved unstable, with some feeling GPT-5 performed worse on certain tasks. The rollout turned out to be more complicated than expected, forcing OpenAI to make concessions to maintain user loyalty.